Emperor Guangchu of Han Zhao

Emperor Guangchu of Han Zhao (died 329), born Liu Yao, was the final emperor of Han Zhao, reigning from 318 to 329. He succeeded his father Emperor Yin of Han Zhao after his assassination in a coup by Jin Zhun, and Guangchu himself was then captured by the rebellious general Shi Le and executed. He was succeeded by Emperor Yiguang of Han Zhao, the last emperor.

Biography
Liu Yao was the son on Liu Lu, and he was raised by his father's cousin Emperor Guangwen of Han Zhao, and Liu Yao became known for his archery skills as he grew up, reading military strategy books. In 309, he became Prince of Shi'an under Emperor Guangwen, and in 311 he captured Luoyang from Emperor Huai of Jin. However, he lost the city of Chang'an, allowing for Emperor Min of Jin to take power after Emperor Huai was executed. In 312, Liu Yao barely escaped death when his general Fu Hu sacrificed his life to help Yao escape from a Jin attack in Bing Province, and he fought indecisive battles against Eastern Jin's armies over the next few years. In 318, however, he took advantage of Jin Zhun's assassination of Emperor Yin of Han Zhao to become the next emperor. He offered to spare Jin Zhun, but Jin Zhun was assassinated, and Liu Yao decided to massacre the untrustworthy Jin clan.

"Emperor Guangchu", as Liu Yao called himself, was impulsive and quick to anger, and he decided to divide Han Zhao in 319, with general Shi Le ruling Later Zhao. In 320, he faced a major rebellion by the Di chiefs Ju Xu and Ku Peng and the Qiang tribes; he killed Ju, Ku, and 50 other Di chiefs and threw their bodies into the Wei River, and he sent You Ziyuan to crush the uprising. In 322, he also forced the Di chief Yang Nandi to surrender, but he fell ill during the campaign. His general Chen An believed that Emperor Guangchu had died, and he decided to make himself "Prince of Liang". Guangchu recovered, however, and he crushed the rebellion in 323 and had Chen executed. Guangchu also destroyed all of Former Liang's bases east of the Yellow River, and he forced Prince Chenglie of Former Liang to submit to him as a vassal. In 324, he fought against his former Later Zhao ally Shi Le, and in 329 he was captured and executed by Shi Le.